Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has revoked all brewing licenses and ordered fresh scrutiny by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics(KEBS) of alcoholic products sold in the county.
Speaking at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa(PCEA) Mutembe, the governor noted that there was a resurgence of second-generation brews made by individuals who did not have the necessary documentation to operate the business.
Muthomi held that the Mt Kenya region remained the biggest market for the dangerous brews and lost most of the youthful population.
“I have revoked all brewing licenses and only those factories which will be scrutinized and given a nod by KEBS will be issued licenses,” pinpointed Njuki.
He added that a few people had enriched themselves by mixing chemicals without any analysis, bottling, and selling them to people resulting in a lot of harm.
Muthomi also blamed some state agencies for laxity because the alcohol was prepared and sold with the full knowledge of police officers.
He challenged officials from the Ministry of Interior to work closely with his government to enforce the directive to tame the production of illegal liquor.
Njuki highlighted that though traditional brew is not legal it was not as dangerous as second-generation drinks.
The announcement by the county chief came days after the taxman seized 300 crates of illicit liquor in Chogoria town and arrested one person.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had directed all county administrators in the Mt Kenya region to start enforcing a one-bar-per-town directive.
According to the DP all entertainment joints must operate from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Gachagua also directed all National Government Administration Officers and the police to crack the whip on entertainment joints operating on a 24hr basis.
The DP urged the county governments not to renew bar licenses when they expire arguing that alcohol abuse was threatening a whole generation.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
